TONY STEWART TO RACE KNIGHTHAWKS CAR TONIGHT IN CANANDAIGUA

Aug 13, 2011

(Rochester, August 13)… The lacrosse hotbed of Canandaigua, NY, will get a visit from the Knighthawks today as racing legend Tony Stewart runs the Knighthawks car in the Empire Super Series. Stewart will race this evening at 7:00 p.m. at Canandaigua Motorsports Park.

“It’s incredible. We are all here and in disbelief,” said Glenn Styres, who co-owns Ohsweken Speedway with his brother and Knighthawks Owner/GM Curt Styres. “He did really well last week at Black Rock and finished fifth. That’s impressive because he doesn’t race those cars all the time.”

Stewart will drive the orange car emblazoned with the Knighthawks logo this evening after he completes his time trials at Watkins Glenn. He will represent one of the rising teams in the National Lacrosse League, fresh off a 10-6 record and in a three-way tie for first in the East Division in 2011. The Knighthawks are a cornerstone franchise, entering their 18th season, and have won two NLL championships.

The Canandaigua Empire Super Sprints start tonight at 7:00 p.m. and feature Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stock and Pure Stock. The Pit Gates Open at 4:00 p.m. and general admission seat holders can enter at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, kids 10-16 are $5.00 and kids 9 and under free (with a paid adult). For more information, go to www.canandaiguamotorsportspark.com.

Stewart recently won his first World of Outlaws race on June 27th at Ohsweken Speedway. His appearance was part of a two-day visit that included a Meet and Greet the previous night. The victory was monumental for the veteran driver. Having Stewart drive the Knighthawks car is also a big victory for the NLL team.

“This will certainly be good notoriety for the Rochester Knighthawks,” said Glenn Styres, who is an accomplished driver in his own right. "The Ohsweken Flyer" has amassed 27 wins, two Ohsweken Speedway Sprint Car titles and a series record 4 championships with the Southern Ontario Sprints. “I know he is coming because I have his racing suit, helmet and gloves. Yesterday, he even brought his crew in with him.”

Glenn first met Tony through a partnership with another driver.

“I sponsored his girlfriend, Jessica Zemken, and got to know him,” said Styres about the female driver, who has also participated in the Empire Super Sprints. “Tony and I have become really close.”

On June 26th, as a token of their appreciation, Glenn, Curt and Curt’s sons Wake:Riat Bowhunter and Rato:Rats Bowhunter presented Stewart with a commemorative Styres Knighthawks jersey prior to the World of Outlaws event.

Stewart, who drives the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has won 11 championships during his 33-year career. His is most recognized for the two titles he scored in NASCAR’s pinnacle series. On July 10, 2008, Stewart expanded his role in the racing world by becoming a driver/owner in the Sprint Cup Series with the forming of Stewart-Haas Racing.

Stewart is also known for his philanthropy with the establishing of his own charitable foundation in 2003. The Tony Stewart Foundation strives to “raise funds that will be primarily distributed to three specific groups – chronically ill children, drivers injured in motorsports activities and organizations dedicated to the protection of various animal species."